An electrospray technique has been used to deposit SiO2 nanoparticles as insulator layer of a metal-insulator-metal device. Impedance spectroscopy measurements show that a 4.4 factor increase in capacitance is achieved compared to a continuous dielectric layer of the same permittivity and dimensions.

In this paper we introduce the electrospray technique as a suitable method to create SiO2 3D ordered nanostructures. We describe the experimental procedure and deposition parameters required. We have found that the use of a high electric field is mandatory to, first, induce the Taylor cone and then, to get 3D order while the nanospheres assemble in the substrate in the drying phase. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A novel spherically shaped thermal anemometer for
low pressure, Mars-like conditions, is described. The concept has
been designed using finite element multyphysics simulations to
find out the thermal conductance to the ambient for varying
conditions of wind speed and direction and ambient pressure
and temperature. A prototype 1cm diameter suitable to work
under these environment in the range 0.25-10m/s speed has
been build using 3D printing and tested inside a low pressure
chamber. The protopype shown has two separated hemispheres,
independently heated above the ambient temperature, providing
angle sensitivity in one plane. Measurements of the heating power
in both hemispheres required to keep an overheat of 30K are
shown as a function of the wind direction showing good sensitivity
at 0.5m/s. One improvement of this sensor is the means provided
to also heat the core of the sphere where the circuit board
is located thereby avoiding most of the conduction losses to
the supports. The concept is scalable to other wind speed and
pressure conditions and also to full 3D measurements.

The novelty of this 2D thermal anemometer is the spherical compact and robust design with improved sensitivity in the range of 600-900Pa of carbon dioxide pressure and 0.25 to 10 m/s wind speed. The small size (11.2mm diameter) and unprecedented 3D printing fabrication of a low emissivity silver shell allows to place inside of the sphere the platinum heating and sensing resistors. It improves the performances of the Viking, Pathfinder and Curiosity wind sensors for the surface of Mars. The conduction losses to the support are largely suppressed by also heating the insertion point at the same temperature than the shell Overall, the convection power to the ambient is in the range of 30mW per 10K of overheat respect to the ambient, which is about the 68% of the total power. Splitting the spherical shell into two hemispheres provides angular sensitivity and the wind direction is found from the convection power differences between them. The concept can be easily extended to three-dimensional sensing by using three of these sensors in different planes. It can also be applied to aeronautical engines such as stratospheric balloons.

In this work we present the manufacturing processes and results obtained from the characterization of heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer solar cells that include a heavily Ti ion implanted Si absorbing layer. The cells exhibit external circuit photocurrent at photon energies well below the Si bandgap. We discuss the origin of this below-bandgap photocurrent and the modifications in the hydrogenated amorphous intrinsic Si layer thickness to increase the open-circuit voltage.

Layers of AlN and CNx were investigated as suitable films to coat thin film anemometers because they are simultaneously electrical isolators and thermal conductors. Thermal time constants were measured and thermal equivalent models are proposed in this work. AlN performed better in the experiments.

Nanostructuring materials such as silicon provides a good technology to fabricate optical and sensing devices. The possibility to fill the pores or channels with different material opens the way to new applications. In this work, we study the electrokinetics of electrospraying technique to fill porous material with nanobeads. The simulations take into account a photonic crystal topology applying a difference potential of 14 kV. Measurements show the viability of filling alumina nanoporous with 360nm polyestyrene nanospheres.

Nanostructuring materials such as silicon provides a good technology to fabricate optical and sensing devices. The possibility to fill the pores or channels with different material opens the way to new applications. In this work, we study the
electrokinetics of electrospraying technique to fill porous material with nanobeads. The simulations take into account a photonic crystal topology applying a difference potential of 14 kV. Measurements show the viability of filling alumina nanoporous with 360nm polyestyrene nanospheres.

In the present work we have investigated the optical absorption behavior of GaAs(Ti) films deposited by r.f sputtering technique under different H2 partial pressures. In previous work we have already demonstrated the feasibility to obtain GaAs films with high dose of Ti, which we refer to as GaAs(Ti). Any absorption peak, which could be related with the presence of an intermediate band, has been identified. The low Etauc parameter together with a broad Urbach tail of the films make us to suspect that the possible presence of an absorption peak could be hidden. The incorporation of H2 on sputtered GaAs films have demonstrated before a shift of the Etauc parameter to higher values and a reduction of the Urbach tail.

GaAs thin films with Ti incorporated, to which we refer to as GaAs(Ti), have been deposited by R.F. sputtering on fused silica and c-GaAs substrates under different process conditions. The films were characterized by EPMA, XPS and XRD to study the composition and structural dependence on the deposition conditions, paying special attention on the Ti content of the films. The optical responses of the films were analyzed by spectrofotometric, PDS and FTIR measurements. The Ti content is in all the samples above 1020 atoms/cm3, so we can consider them as GaAs films highly Ti doped. It has been observed that an evolution of the Ga/As atomic content in relation with the Ti incorporation, which together with the results obtained from XPS measurements, indicates a possible substitution of Ga by Ti atoms in the deposited films.

The Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS) will investigate environ-
mental factors directly tied to current habitability at the Martian surface during the Mars Sci-
ence Laboratory (MSL) mission. Three major habitability factors are addressed by REMS:
the thermal environment, ultraviolet irradiation, and water cycling. The thermal environment
is determined by a mixture of processes, chief amongst these being the meteorological. Ac-
cordingly, the REMS sensors have been designed to record air and ground temperatures,
pressure, relative humidity, wind speed in the horizontal and vertical directions, as well as
ultraviolet radiation in different bands. These sensors are distributed over the rover in four
places: two booms located on the MSL Remote Sensing Mast, the ultraviolet sensor on the
rover deck, and the pressure sensor inside the rover body. Typical daily REMS observa-
tions will collect 180 minutes of data from all sensors simultaneously (arranged in 5 minute
hourly samples plus 60 additional minutes taken at times to be decided during the course
of the mission). REMS will add significantly to the environmental record collected by prior
missions through the range of simultaneous observations including water vapor; the ability
to take measurements routinely through the night; the intended minimum of one Martian
year of observations; and the first measurement of surface UV irradiation. In this paper, we
describe the scientific potential of REMS measurements and describe in detail the sensors
that constitute REMS and the calibration procedures

Composition and optical absorption of thin films
of GaAs(Ti) and GaAs, deposited by sputtering on glass
substrates under different process conditions, have been
investigated. The thin films obtained are typically 200 nm
thick. ToF–SIMS measurements show a quite constant
concentration and good uniformity of Ti profiles along the
GaAs(Ti) layers in all cases and EPMA results indicate that
Ti content increases with the substrate temperature in the
sputtering process. Measurements of the transmittance and
reflectance spectra of the GaAs and GaAs(Ti) thin films have
been carried out. In the optical characterization of the films it
is found that optical absorption is enhanced in all samples
containing Ti. The determination of the optical gap from the
optical absorption, shows optical gap variations from 1.15 to
1.29 eV in the GaAs thin films, and from 0.83 to 1.13 eV in
the GaAs(Ti) thin films. The differences in absorption and
EgTAUC observed between samples of GaAs and GaAs(Ti)
are consistent with the presence of an intermediate band.

Experiments showing an increase in the wettability of a hydrophobic surface when using corona air ionization are shown. Photoluminiscence observations support the predictions of charge accumulation at the triple line and confirm previous experiments. In all of the experiments, the contact angle was in the saturation regime at a value smaller than that predicted by the
condition of a zero value for the solid-liquid surface tension. The PDMS did not show any deterioration due to the corona exposure under the experimental conditions used. The contact angle is shown to increase with humidity.

Some sputtering processes of GaAs(Ti) onto c-GaAs have been carried out in order to obtain thin films as candidates to be intermediate band photovoltaic materials. This work presents the results obtained in the study of the absorptance, from transmittance and reflectance responses, in samples obtained at different conditions of temperature and power during the sputtering deposition.

The aim of this article is to provide an overview of current and future concepts in the field of retinal prostheses, and is focused on the power supply based on solar energy conversion; we introduce the possibility of using PV minimodules as power supply for a new concept of retinal prostheses: Photovoltaic Powered Artificial Retina (PVAR). Main characteristics of these PV modules are presented showing its potential for this application.

Photonic crystals are widely used in optical applications as waveguides and band filters. Filling the periodic structural material of
photonic crystals with other materials is very useful in order to change the optical properties of the devices. In this paper electrostatic COMSOL simulations describing an electrospray deposition of particles in macroporous structures are performed.

In this work we want to explore some techniques, microfluidic and electrosprayionization based, suitable for dynamic microarrays' fabrication. The fabrication techniques are based on
manipulation and self-assembly of selective
coated micro and nanobeads. The simulation will include electro-osmotic flow, species transport, and electrostatics.

This paper describes the design, fabrication, characterization,
and satellite integration of a miniaturized two axis sun
sensor which has been used in the attitude control system of the
Spanish nano-satellite NANOSAT-1B. This device is made of four
silicon photodiodes monolithically integrated in a crystalline silicon
substrate, protected by a transparent cover glass assembled
on the same silicon die against space radiation damage. The sensor
fabrication combines standard silicon processing technology with
a high performance solar cell fabrication process. The sensor, including
electronics and mechanical and electrical interfacing with
the satellite, has a small size (3 cm 3 cm) and low weight (24 gr.),
with a sun field-of-view greater than with an angle accuracy
better than 0.15 . Three of these sensors have already been integrated
in the NANOSAT-1B platform that has been successfully
launched in July 2009.

Thin films of GaAs(Ti) have been deposited by sputtering
on glass and n_GaAs substrates under different process
conditions. Optical characteristics of these samples have
been analyzed to study the potential of this material in
intermediate Band solar cell manufacturing.

Some sputtering processes of GaAs and Ti onto
glass, c-Si and c-GaAs substrates have been carried out in order
to obtain thin films as candidates to be intermediate band
photovoltaic materials. This work presents first results
concerning the optical and structural properties of the different
deposited thin films.

This contribution describes the development of an impedimetric immunosensor for atrazine detection. This
immunosensor is based on the use of interdigitated metallic
μ-electrodes (IDμEs) The method described in this work does not use any redox mediator and relies on the direct detection of
immunochemical competitive reaction between the pesticide and
a haptenized-protein immobilized on interdigitated
μ-electrodes for the specific antibody.
The immunoreagents used were specifically developed to detect atrazine. The immunochemical detection of this pesticide is achieved without using any label. The immunosensor shows a limit of detection of 8.34±1.37 μg L-1, witch is lower than the Maximun Residue Level (MRL) (50μg L-1)established by EU (European Union)for residues of atrazine as herbicide in the wine grapes and other foodstuff products.

Crystalline silicon small photovoltaic arrays are
shown. Electrical isolation of individual cells and series
connection between them to integrate series arrays are
discussed. High open circuit voltage values in the range of 100
V and power densities of 7.2 mW/cm2 have been achieved.